Tag: For I can do everything through Christ

Morning Prayer: Sat, 18 Feb – Psalm 103:1-14; Isaiah 58:11-12; Philippians 4:10-13 ~ strength to rebuild/restore

Saturday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Opening Sentence

I have come to seek You, O God, just as I am I come.

I will wait for You, O God. My soul waits, and in Your word do I hope.
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Reading: Psalm 103:1-14 (NLT)

Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!

The Lord gives righteousness and justice to all who are treated unfairly.

He revealed his character to Moses and his deeds to the people of Israel. The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever. He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve. For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him. For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust.
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Aleppo, Syria
Aleppo, Syria

Reading: Isaiah 58:11-12 (NLT)

The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring. Some of you will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities. Then you will be known as a rebuilder of walls and a restorer of homes.
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Reading: Philippians 4:10-13 (NLT)

How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn’t have the chance to help me. Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
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Prayer:

Heavenly Father: You have adopted us into your family, and through the ages have stayed with us and kept us in your steadfast love. Lord, help us in our work and prayer – as “rebuilders of walls and a restorers of homes.”

+ We pray for all who rebuild and restore cities: give them wisdom and respect for every family, every life – both rich and poor.
+ Pour out your Spirit on artists, craftsmen, and musicians: may their work bring variety, joy, and inspiration to our lives.
+ Be with us as the cornerstone of all that we build: for we are only dust and can do nothing without your guidance and strength.
+ You have created us anew in the resurrection of your Son: rebuild and restore the spiritual life of broken cities through that same resurrection power.

Heavenly Father, we praise you with our whole heart and give thanks for all you are doing and will do. Life itself is your precious gift, may all we have and all we are be yours. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
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“Open Up Our Eyes” – Elevation Worship


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Blessing

  • When you no longer know how to be, may the Father take you on your deeper journey.
  • When you no longer know what to do, may the Spirit reveal to you your fitting task.
  • When all feels lost or foreign, may you know your home in Christ.

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

28th Ordinary Sunday: Is 25:6-10; Ps 23:1-6; Phil 4:12-14, 19-20; Mt 22:1-14 ~ Come to the banquet!

28th Sunday in Ordinary Time

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening prayer:

God of goodness and kindness – You invite all people to the banquet and offer them a feast beyond compare. Give us Your saving grace to keep unstained the white robe of our baptism until that day when You welcome us to heaven’s joyful table. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.
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A Reading from the Old testament: Isaiah 25:6-10 (NLT)

In Jerusalem, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will spread a wonderful feast for all the people of the world. It will be a delicious banquet with clear, well-aged wine and choice meat. There he will remove the cloud of gloom, the shadow of death that hangs over the earth. He will swallow up death forever! The Sovereign Lord will wipe away all tears. He will remove forever all insults and mockery against his land and people. The Lord has spoken!

In that day the people will proclaim, “This is our God! We trusted in him, and he saved us! This is the Lord, in whom we trusted. Let us rejoice in the salvation he brings!” For the Lord’s hand of blessing will rest on Jerusalem.
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A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 23:1-6 (NLT)

The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.

He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.

Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.

You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings.

Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.
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A Reading from the Letters: Philippians 4:12-14, 19-20 (NLT)

I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Even so, you have done well to share with me in my present difficulty.
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And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.

Now all glory to God our Father forever and ever! Amen.
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A Reading from the Gospels: Matthew 22:1-14 (NLT)

Chalice on the altar with crucifix in background. Lower chapel of Our Lady of Mercy church, Hicksville, New York. Reference image 2142 taken January 15, 2006 by John Archer.
Chalice on the altar with crucifix in background. Lower chapel of Our Lady of Mercy church, Hicksville, New York. Image taken January 15, 2006 by John Archer.

Jesus also told them other parables. He said, “The Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a king who prepared a great wedding feast for his son. When the banquet was ready, he sent his servants to notify those who were invited. But they all refused to come!

“So he sent other servants to tell them, ‘The feast has been prepared. The bulls and fattened cattle have been killed, and everything is ready. Come to the banquet!’ But the guests he had invited ignored them and went their own way, one to his farm, another to his business. Others seized his messengers and insulted them and killed them.

“The king was furious, and he sent out his army to destroy the murderers and burn their town. And he said to his servants, ‘The wedding feast is ready, and the guests I invited aren’t worthy of the honor. Now go out to the street corners and invite everyone you see.’ So the servants brought in everyone they could find, good and bad alike, and the banquet hall was filled with guests.

“But when the king came in to meet the guests, he noticed a man who wasn’t wearing the proper clothes for a wedding. ‘Friend,’ he asked, ‘how is it that you are here without wedding clothes?’ But the man had no reply. Then the king said to his aides, ‘Bind his hands and feet and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

“For many are called, but few are chosen.”
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Intercessions:

Gracious God, who gently shepherds all the flock, hear our prayers –

+ For Christians everywhere — that our belief in life after death may sustain us in difficult times…. Lord, hear us.

+ For those who care for the bereaved — that their own faith in the resurrection may sustain them…. Lord, hear us.

+ For people who live with violence — that the Lord may grant peace to those parts of the world most battered by war…. Lord, hear us.

+ For each one of us in our everyday lives — that we may encourage one another and reflect Your peace and joy…. Lord, hear us.

+ For couples preparing for marriage — that the gentle shepherd may lead them along right paths…. Lord, hear us.

+ For Christian families everywhere – that the peace of Christ and the love of Christ might be a daily reality…. Lord, hear us.

+ For those who have died – that a place at the heavenly banquet may be theirs…. Lord, hear us.

God our shepherd, You invite us to Your table in heaven: give us the grace we need on our journey there, we pray, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Benediction:

Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen